Modern day lessons from survivors of the Holocaust

Gillian Loney

An event examining human rights after the Holocaust will take place at Glasgow University’s law school this month, in partnership with the Holocaust Educational Trust.

Organised by regional ambassador and former Eastwood High pupil Laura Pasternak, the February 25 seminar will include testimonies from two Holocaust survivors, German-born Henry and Ingrid Wuga, who both arrived in Britain as part of the Kindertransport and later married.

Laura, now a masters student in human rights law, said: “It is a privilege for us to welcome Henry and Ingrid to the university, and their testimony will remain a powerful reminder of the horrors so many experienced.

A panel discussion by academics specialising in human rights, refugee issues and international law will follow.

The event starts at 5.30pm in the Senate Room, at the university’s main building — anyone interested in attending is asked to register at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Karen Pollok MBE, HET chief executive, added: “Henry and Ingrid’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances and, by hearing their testimony, students will have the opportunity to learn where prejudice and racism can ultimately lead.

“At the Trust, we impart the history of the Holocaust to young people to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost, and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived.”

It was a message clear to St Ninian’s High School pupils too, following a recent visit from Holocaust survivor Inge Auerbacher.

The East Ren school welcomed Inge — one of only 100 surviving children from the 15,000 at the Theresienstadt ghetto in Czechoslovakia — as part of Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations.

Inge handed out prizes to the winner’s of this year’s creative response competition, and talked about her life in the camp. She told pupils: “It is your job to be everything today for those who are not here.”